Stand up for the Burrup Petition

Occupy Sydney are humbled to be participants in the Global Stand up for the Burrup campaign which seeks World Heritage listing of The Burrup Rock Art conservatory.
Our next action on the ground will be May 1St 2013.
The ancient Aboriginal Burrup Rock Art assemblage is the largest and oldest collection of paleoglyphs known to exist. It may be much more. It is often referred to as the longest running documentatuon of a continuously existing culture on this planet. It is Sacred to and in the songlines of many aborifinal peoples. It is Australia's Rosetta Stone.

Recently the Barnett West Australian Government announced the creation of a National Park incorporating 46% of this priceless collection. This status is important because it means UNESCO can now consider The Burrup for World Heritage listing. However preserving a mere 46% is like Egypt preserving one of the 3 great pyramids, allowing a second to be converted to an hotel and leaving the third open to demolition. This will not happen in Egypt and it should not happen in Western Australia.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION
Global Stand Up for the Burrup - The Petition Site

Society Under Attack from Govt: Single Parents

On January 1st 2013 the Callous Australian Federal Government with customary Marie Antoinette like indifference cancelled the Single Parents payment-forcing thousands of single parents onto the disempowering and heavily onerous Newstart,the Aussie version of the Dole.
Occupy Sydney vehemently oppose this anti Family attack on another already economically  marginalised group within society.
The Australian genesis of this flawed Government strategy lies in the Corporate serving McClure report concocted by a Committee steered by then Mission Australia CEO Patrick McClure for the Howard Government. The Report, loosely based on The Alberta Tough Love program introduces some furphies which serve Corporations in their quest to make bigger profits on a lower labour unit cost also serves Government in its quest to manage people and the Marginalisation industry in its perennial  quest for growth.
  The basic flawed tenet is the Reports concept of 'mutual obligation' which holds that claimants of income support should have an exchange obligation i.e. to engage in 'training' (a profitable adjunct for the poverty industry,particularly Mission Australia. If that is mutual obligation then what is the governments obligation when it collects among the highest taxes in the world? McClures Mutual obligation is an additional obligation to paying tax when you work.
  In an extension of the same flawed logic subsequent Labor governments have deemed that Single Parents should not be able to choose full time parenting despite the full time nature of the role. Instead they should make themselves available at often unsustainable pay rates as Corporate wageslaves.
The Government decision to force single parents onto Newstart will have a destabilising effect on families as tired out poorly paid sungle parents are forced to trek hours each day to poorly paid jobs or worse to faux training courses which bring cashflow to monetising agencies while leaving single parent families socially as well as economically destitute.
Occupy Sydney support a Single Parents Social Wage and join grassroots single parents in calling for an immediate livable single parents social wage for those who want it.

What is Occupy Sydney Today??

Occupy Sydney is an autonomous grassroots Movement adhering to the core principles of the Occupy Movement Globally. Occupy Sydney have maintained a 24 hour seven day occupation since October 15 2011 and are we understand the last occupation to continue to do so in open public space.

Occupy-sydney.org facebook.com/occupysydney twitter.com/occupysydney occupysydney@gmail.com   youtube.com/user/yupster2501     phone 0410722000 

56a Martin Place Sydney 2000         corner Martin Place & Elizabeth St           

Occupy Sydney in brief:  As expected, on October 15th 2011 a Movement for Change collided as disparate groups and individuals came together as an instant deciduous tree. The tree of Change born that day was at full bloom replete in all its splendor on the very first day. It was inevitable that Occupy Sydney would undergo a maturity phase and a winter where all the deciduous leaves and flowers would fall away. Occupy Sydney has now weathered that winter. Now we can see exactly what Occupy Sydney is,its resources and its capabilities.

Occupy Sydney Today:

Todays Occupy Sydney functions via Autonomous Working Groups which have autonomy to make decisions on behalf of the General Assembly. Those currently functioning are

Indigenous: Works on Sydney NSW and Global Stand Up For The Burrup Campaigns by consent of Wilfred Hicks Tim Douglas Of the Ngarda Ngarli people>

Another responsibility within this working Group is the administration and development of Idle No More Solidarity Sydney, which supports the concept of Indigenous Women led Idle No More from Canada expanding across global indigenous communities. The Indigenous Working Group also support Indigenous Social Justice Association and Stop the Intervention Coalition work and works with grassroots aboriginal communities.

l  Occupy Sydney Legals. Needs more lawyers,barristers,law students. Contact 0410722000 to join Working Group.

l   Occupy Sydney media: The Media Team is rebuilding with a focus on developing culture jamming multimedia campaigns as drivers of more successful campaign strategies.Call 0410722000 for contacts

l  Natural Hemp vs GMO Cotton: As the Australian Cotton industry has moved to Roundup Ready genetically modified plants on heavily modified broadacre properties using copious amounts of precious water,we are considering the benefits of Natural Hemp as a fabric alternative. Call 0410722000 to join this Working Group.

l  Occupation: To join our Occupiers please call at the Occupation.

l  FreeSchool: One of our more successful working groups is in hiatus but we are resurrecting it.Call 04107220 or ask at Occupy.

l  Extractives Working Group: Dealing with the combined issues of Coal Seam Gas Oil and Mining this working group has actively supported the Glenugie Doubtful Creek No CSG blockade of Metgasco.The Group has also actively campaigned in support of Yirranbandi vs Fortescue Metals Group, Supports a ban on onshore gas hubs for North West Shelf Gas. We actively oppose Whitehaven Coal expansion in the Laird State Forest and the T4 Terminal in Newcastle. Globally we are calling for Australia to join Argentina in freezing Chevron Assets until they havepaid the $17billion they owe  Ask to join at the occupation

Occupy Sydney is active at local national and Global levels.

Legal Actions: Occupy Sydney have supported Farmers in the Walgett and South Australia areas against bank foreclosure.One of these Farmers is bringing a case which if successful may render most mortgage and loan documents invalid. Due to legal issues we are unable to reveal other than that it relates to the application of the Code of Banking Practice.

Still awaiting written judgements are the Occupy Sydney Constitutional Challenge and an appeal against a dismissal of an occupiers Staying Overnight case. In both cases its expected that appeals will follow either way.

Occupy Sydney have not forgotten that Sydney is the most unaffordable City on Earth OR that the core occupy message is eco-socio economic.

Homelessness: Together with the Sydney Homeless Team and Alliance Partners Occupy Sydney have developed a strategy and are working at two levels.We are developing a much needed 5am breakfast Monday to Friday and Hot Nightly Meals 7 Days a week.

Volunteers and Food Contributors welcome.Ask at the Occupation or call 0410722000. We aim to develop the breakfast into a host site for businesses and people needing to recruit construction logistics and hospitality casual workers.We may also offer job specific work training to suitable candidates and consideration is being given to bringng in voluntary Human Resources professionals to assist those seeking and able to work.

Our Ending Homelessness Working Group are developing a strategy to end homelessness in Sydney and Australia .This complex solution includes transfer of tax breaks away non-resident home investors to home buyers, Local body indexation of local wages and salaries to affordable housing by postcode and Mobile Housing as a Social Housing Alternative.  Join this Team...ask at the Occupation

Occupy Sydney are an enthusiastic anti-corporate power activists and active supporters of the Out of Order Campaign.The campaign calls for photos to be taken of all ANZ bank ATMS displaying out of order signs.ANZ are financiers to Whitehaven Coal which plan to expand their Boggabri Mining Operations into the Lairds State Forest.

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Occupy Sydney General Assemblies

From February 27^th 2013 General Assemblies will be held weekly Wednesdays at 6-30pm. No minimum or maximum numbers apply.

email Occupy Sydney

Homeless Hot Evening Meals & Breakfasts

Occupy Sydney

& Partners

Homeless Hot Meals

@ Martin Place

7pm 7 Days

The Corner of Martin Place and Elizabeth St has long been the site of choice for homeless people to access unconditional food and necessities.

 From about 4pm Sydney Homeless organised food is collected from donor shops by the Sydney Homeless Community and distributed. From 7pm Occupy Sydney partners and Community Groups combine to provide Food Coffee necessities and Support.

 Occupy Sydney and partners are committed to providing a hot meal from about 7pm & days a week.We cant do it by ourselves.

 We are slowly filling days with volunteer groups (Sunday is individuals Day).

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Acommercial kitchen has been identified to cook in from 1pm to 6pm avail from March 1^st. (including cleaning) and prep volunteers are welcome here too.

Occupy Sydney

and partners

Homeless Breakfasts

5am M-F @ Martin Pl

Come enjoy a simple warming hot breakfast, coffee and tea served daily.

 Co located with Martin Place Station at the Corner of Elizabeth St for ease of access to public transport.

l  Focus on Homeless Workers support

l  Find Casual workers here

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Supplier Partners needed: Breakfast Cereal, Porridge(QuickCook),Eggs, Bacon, Sausages,Bread Rolls,Margarine,Coffee,Tea,Long life Milk, cooking gas.Transport.Can you supply one item one day a week??

Volunteers needed (Groups & Individuals) : 4am to 7am Monday –Friday

Mob: 0410722000 or ask @ Occupy Sydney

http://occupy-sydney.org

Bradley Manning: SYDNEY 1000 Days Solidarity Rally

Free Bradley Manning :

1000 Days in US Federal Custody Unconvicted  

For telling the Truth

 Bradley Manning exposed to the world atrocities and Human Rights Abuses committed by the US Military. He is charged in relation to doing so.

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Bradley Manning

1000 Days Solidarity Rally

Sat 23 May 11am-2pm Archibald Fountain

Hyde Park North

Tony Burke :The Anti Environment Minister plays Russian Roulette with Australian Childrens eco security

Occupy Sydney are issuing an ongoing ALL POINTS BULLETIN for anti Environment Minister Tony Burke . 

• Is Tony Burke booked at an event near you?? Let us know by sending us the published post or email notice. We will pass to local activists.

The announcements by Australian Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke that he would allow further Coal Mines in NSW moves the Country further to becoming a Game of Russian Roulette rigged un favour of extractives played with a fully loaded gun pointed at the heads of Australians and an irrepairable Death Sentence for local ecosystems. 

 Environment Minister Tony Burke signed away approvals for Whitehaven's Maules Creek mine, planned for the Leard State Forest, Idemitsu's neighbouring Boggabri coalmine expansion, and a coal seam gas development planned by AGL for Gloucester in NSW.  Yes the approvals are conditional, but the conditions do not include "no environmental or social harm." 

 Already irrepairable damage is being done by existing mining and gas operations, changing forever the character of local communities and ecosystems. 

In Tasmania Minister for the Environment recognises Indigenous Heritage importance " but not at the expense of jobs and Industry   > More on The Tarkine Actions here

• Calling all STOP CSG activists in SYDNEY, WESTERN SYDNEY, BLUE MOUNTAINS AND GREATER WEST! EVERYONE, ALL CONCERNED AUSTRALIANS AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET CONCERNED, *THIS* CONCERNS YOU. This protest abides by the principles of non-violent direct action. So please come on the day with that full understanding in mind ☮ NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell will be speaking at a Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry luncheon on February 13. O'Farrell's government has given the go ahead for CSG mining across western Sydney communities and in Sydney's water catchment area, despite clear community opposition and evidence of the dangers associated with the industry. Enough is enough. Come along to raise your opposition to CSG mining. Let us send a strong and clear message to this government - this needs to be a massive event - please organise your time to be there. Bring signs and banners from home as well as the triangles and branded corflutes. Chris Hartcher does not run this state and NSW is NOT a coal state as he proclaims. No means NO. PEOPLES BACKYARDS! OUR DRINKING WATER CATCHMENTS! ENDANGERED AND PROTECTED HABITATS! you've got to be kidding!!! For protest site information: contact Rivers SOS 0412 556 527; or inquire through this invite and the Stop CSG Blue Mountains Facebook pagehttp://www.facebook.com/StopCoalSeamGasBlueMountains?fref=ts  DIRECTIONS TO THE ACTION.... https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=217231075735748207166.0004d3b7946a5763ae1b6&msa=0&ll=-33.95582%2C150.886703&spn=0.0097%2C0.020428 Facebook Events : https://www.facebook.com/events/542461139104925/                            https://www.facebook.com/events/290091744447480/ Many Grassroots Groups have had enough. Get in touch with local activists who are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure a Clean environment clean air and clean water are available for their childrens future. You should plan to STOP CSG and Dirty Coal in their polluting tracks.

Idle No More Action Feb 13 Canberra & Brisbane

#IdleNoMore ACTION FEBRUARY 13TH against push for constitutional recognition… 

- BRISBANE: rally at QLD State Parliament at 10am

- CANBERRA: rally outside Federal Parliament House 8:30am-12 noon

On February 13, Australia’s Federal Parliament will vote on the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012’. This legislation is tokenistic, provides the original sovereign tribes of this continent with NO BENEFITS and is simply an attempt by the Commonwealth Government of Australia (and their corporate backers) to put off the real issues at hand – SOVEREIGNTY & TREATY.

Listed below is what the Act of Recognition will do:

1) The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, recognises that the continent and the islands now known as Australia were first occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2) The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, acknowledges the continuing relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with their traditional lands and waters.

3) The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, acknowledges and respects the continuing cultures, languages and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Although this may sound good, none of the above enactments provide any legal basis for our claim to SOVEREIGNTY, land rights, water rights, protection of our languages or cultural heritage. This ‘Act of Recognition’ is just like Kevin Rudd’s apology – words without change....

see full post

http://idle-no-more.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/canberra-brisbane-idlenomore-action.html

TJ Hickey Stop Black Deaths In Custody Rally :Media Release

Final press release for the Tj's rally.

Sign The Petition

TJ HICKEY: NINE LONG YEARS….TIME FOR JUSTICE?
TJ Hickey was an Aboriginal young man, just 17 years old. On February 14, 2004, St. Valentine Day, TJ died as a consequence of a Redfern police pursuit. TJ’s bike was rammed by a police car whereby he was thrown in the air with great force, and landed on the spiked fence line at the corner of George and Phillips St, Waterloo, again with great force as described in the Final Autopsy Report that was not publically presented in the Coroners Court.
No proper medical attention was given by the first police officer on the scene, then-Constable Michael Hollingsworth. Instead TJ was roughly pulled off the spikes, thrown to the concrete, and then searched, whilst bleeding very heavily. Basic First Aid rules, as all police are trained for, insist that impaled victims must not be moved but must remain impaled until the Police Rescue Unit is called to assist. When the Police Rescue Unit did arrive with medically trained and competent staff, Constable Hollingsworth sent them away claiming that he was administering sufficient first aid to TJ. Finally two ambulances arrived and took over. Yet instead of taking TJ to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the closest, TJ was transported to the Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick. TJ died in hospital early the next morning.

And the history of every police Death in Custody was repeated. The innocents were convicted and jailed. The guilty got away and were promoted in their ranks. How so? That Sunday night the youth who knew TJ and/or others who blamed the Redfern police for the death of TJ became involved in the so-called Redfern riot that was formulated by the officers at Redfern police station. The aftermath of these events were really bizarre. The police officers involved in the TJ’s death were promoted, the fighters for justice were arrested, some convicted and even did some gaol time. 
So, for NINE YEARS the Hickey family has been campaigning for Justice. And what did they get? Besides constant and ongoing police harassment to Gail and other members of the Family, they received a rigged Coronial Inquest, with evidence and witnesses suppressed, a totally flawed police investigation and callously ignored by NSW Governments and Family attempts to get justice from the United Nations under several UN Covenants ignored and suppression of the facts made by the Gillard Federal Government in their reply to the UN. Even the attempt to fix a plaque at the place of the incident has been stopped by Redfern police and the Department of Housing. 
So in the NINTH ANNIVERSARY, Gail, the Family, the Communities where TJ lived, ISJA as well as other supporters continue to call for Justice for TJ and all Deaths in Custody. The call for Justice is the reopening of a wider investigation into the facts, the appearance of previously blocked witnesses and the presentation of all other withheld evidence, so as to allow for a full forensic examination of the facts to be finally able to reach an honest and just conclusion, the TJ plaque must finally be affixed to the fence line to remember TJ and all NSW Deaths in Custody as well as to stop all Deaths in Custody. 
A Petition calling for Justice for TJ and his Family has been circulated and a march to NSW Parliament House, headed by Gail Hickey and the Family on February 14th, 2013 organized. The rally will start at the fence line, George and Philip St, Waterloo, at 10:30am. After the traditional minutes of silence and speakers, we will be marching to Parliament House after the traditional stop at the Redfern police station. After the march, Gail will be presenting the Petitions to the Attorney General, Greg Smith, at Parliament House.

NINE YEARS IS JUST WAY TOO LONG to call for real justice although other Deaths in Custody Families have fought for over 30 years. We have personally seen the physical and mental damage done to these Families. It is nothing but State-sanctioned torture by Governments and their police force to allow these injustices to continue. Justice delayed is Justice denied. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT RAY JACKSON 0450 651 063 OR RAUL BASSI 0403 037 376

INDEGENOUS SOCIAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION (ISJA)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/439781042698959/

Flying Foam Massacre Rememberance Stand up for the Burrup

Flying Foam Massacre Remembrance Day commemorates the genocide of the Yaburara people, original owners of the Burrup Peninsula in NW Australia. The Flying Foam Massacres - which began on 17 February and continued until May 1868 - were designed to terrorise all of the First Nations people of NW Australia into submission, by demonstrating the savagery of the British invaders. Since 1965, the Western Australian state has attacked the spiritual and cultural legacy of the Yaburara people and all the Ngarda Ngarli peoples of the West Pilbara, by destroying and desecrating the sacred Murujuga/Dampier Archipelago ('Burrup') rock art. On Sunday 17 February 2013, we ask First Nations people throughout Australia and internationally, and supporters everywhere, to join in 'Stand Up for the Burrup' photo-shoot actions in support of our demand for UNESCO World Heritage List protection for the remaining Murujuga/Dampier Archipelago rock art.  Join Ngarda Ngarli Elders Tim Douglas and Wilfred Hicks and supporters from First Nations and wider communities as the Global Stand Up for the Burrup campaign remembers the Flying Foam Massacre . Our objective is to raise awareness about the massacres which enabled colonisation of Australia and demand UNESCO World Heritage Listing for the Murujuga/Dampier Archipelago Rock Art Precinct We want to keep in contact with you. Please click here and tell us where you are : http://eepurl.com/mxvlv Flying Foam Massacre/Murderers Bay info http://www.creativespirits.info/ozwest/karratha/massacres-flying-foam-1868.html ............................................................................................................................ Todays Sydney Event will commence with speakers and a photo / media opportunity at NSW Parliament House Macquarie St Sydney 2000 then further photo opportunities at the Sydney Opera House. Supported by  Indigenous Social Justice Association Idlenomore Solidarity Sydney Australia Occupy Sydney

Canberra Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/434559253289324/ with Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Adelaide Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/534280649939854/

Gosford Stand Up For the Burrup (some interesting Facts Here)

also Supporting Feb 17 Bambara Festival to Save Bambara Cave Rock Art

SLAUGHTERHOUSE CREEK
Total unknown: 1816 Appin Massacre, 1824 Bathurst Massacre, 1828 Cape Grim Massacre, 1830 Fremantle Massacre, Convincing Grounds Massacre (of the Kilcarer clan of the Gunditjmara people only two survive), 1834 Pinjarra Massacre, 1838 Slaughterhouse Creek Massacre, 1838 Faithful Massacre, Myall Creek Massacre, Gwydir Massacre, Waterloo Creek Massacre, 1839 Murdering Gully Massacre, Campaspie Plains Massacre, between 1840 and 1850 the Gippsland Massacres, 1840 Konongwootong Massacre, 1841 Rufus River Massacre, Lake Minimup Massacre of men and boys, 1842 Brisbane Valley Massacre, Kilcoy Station Mass Poisoning, Skull Creek and Gipsland Massacres,1843 Warrigal Creek Massacre, 1846 Cape Otway Massacre, 1848 East Ballina/Evans Head Massacre, 1849 Hospital Creek Massacre, Butchers Tree Massacre, Avenue Range Station Massacre, 1857 Hornet Bank Massacre: extermination of the Yeeman People, 1861 Medway Ranges Massacre, 1865 La Grange Bay Massacre, 1867 Goulbolba Hill Massacre, 1868 Flying Foam Massacre, 1873 Battle Camp Massacre, 1874 Barrow Creek Massacre, 1874-5 Blackfellow's Creek Massacre, 1879 Cape Bedford Massacre, 1880s Florida Station Massacres, 1884 Battle Mountain Massacre, 1887: the massacres of the Djara, Konejandi and Walmadjari in Western Australia plus a few more up there in the Kimberley, 1890 Speewah Massacre, 1890 to the 1920s the Killing Times in Western Australia, 1906 Canning Stock Route Massacres, 1915 Mistake Creek Massacre, 1918 Bentick Island Massacre, 1926 Forest River Massacre, 1928 Coniston Massacre of 38 people by one sick fucker.
Full list never compiled. Neither were your names. Or all of your tribes.
 I am so sorry
reb;ogged from 
.Ly De Angeles

Single Parenting IS A FULL TIME JOB.RALLY FEB 5TH

On 1 January 2013 New rules came into effect for Single Parents who have chosen to carry out their full time parenting role supported by Centrelink Single Parenting Payments. Under the draconian new rules such single parenting payments have ended and such parents have been forced onto the much more onerous NewStart UNDER WHICH THEY CAN BE FORCED TO WORK IN UNSUSTAINABLY PAID EMPLOYMENT OR WASTE TIME IN PROGRAMS which take from their time and energy to profit NGO service providers OR work for Poverty Industry NFPs on a Voluntary basis. ..........................................................................  This is entirely unacceptable.Single Parenting is already a full time job.Join us and DEMAND REINSTATEMENT OF SINGLE PARENT PAYMENT CHOICE FOR ALL SINGLE PARENTS (THIS event not organised by Occupy Sydney.We support Grassroots single parents rights and this event on that basis.Our support does not imply support for other supporting organisations and we especially do not support NCOSS. ..........................................................................................   Join the stand at Martin Place (Maquarie street), Sydney in support of single parents and their children across Australia who are affected by harsh cuts to parenting payment single! Single Parents of Australia need your support! We urge the CURRENT government to reverse their inhumane decision to cut payments to families and place them on a benefit of a single person. (Newstart)  We demand a welfare system that allows separated parents to maintain work that fits in with family life.  TAKE A STAND FOR ALL FAMILIES IN AUSTRALIA  Tuesday 5th February 2013, Martin Place Sydney 11:00am. Members and supporters of Single Parents Action Group (SPAG) will gather at Martin Place, Sydney at 11:00am to stand against the Bill that has signified 8 years old as an age where parenting ceases. This legislation was passed just prior to Christmas and the end of parliament.  The protest group will gather at 11am to take their messages directly to the government of the first day of sitting for the year.  FAMILIES ARE asked to wear a white t-shirt with the handprints of their children. Carry a heart shaped card board with your message of how the changes have affected you and your family. Violent, aggressive or inflammatory behaviour will not be tolerated at this event. We stand legally and peacefully to have our voices and that of our children heard. FACEBOOK Event here https://www.facebook.com/events/223495154452632/